U.S. patent application number 15/291241 was filed with the patent office on 2017-02-02 for waterproofing structure for connector.
This patent application is currently assigned to YAZAKI CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is YAZAKI CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Keiji HAMADA, Tomoyuki MIYAKAWA.
Application Number | 20170033493 15/291241 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 54358655 |
Filed Date | 2017-02-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170033493 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
HAMADA; Keiji ; et
al. |
February 2, 2017 |
WATERPROOFING STRUCTURE FOR CONNECTOR
Abstract
A waterproofing structure for a connector includes a first
housing having a first terminal reception chamber for receiving a
terminal and a second housing having a second terminal reception
chamber for receiving a terminal. An opening end of the first
terminal reception chamber is opposed to an opening end of the
second terminal reception chamber, so that a gap with which
circumferential edges of the opening ends are opposed to each other
is configured to be sealed. An annular member made of resin is
provided at the circumferential edge of the opening end of the
first terminal reception chamber, the annular member having an
inner circumferential surface widened toward the second housing.
The circumferential edge of the opening end of the second terminal
reception chamber abuts against the inner circumferential surface
of the annular member.
Inventors: |
HAMADA; Keiji;
(Utsunomiya-shi, JP) ; MIYAKAWA; Tomoyuki;
(Utsunomiya-shi, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
YAZAKI CORPORATION |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
YAZAKI CORPORATION
Tokyo
JP
|
Family ID: |
54358655 |
Appl. No.: |
15/291241 |
Filed: |
October 12, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
PCT/JP2015/062744 |
Apr 27, 2015 |
|
|
|
15291241 |
|
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01R 24/20 20130101;
H01R 33/965 20130101; H01R 13/5219 20130101; H01R 24/28 20130101;
H01R 13/5202 20130101; H01R 13/5216 20130101; H01R 13/521 20130101;
H01R 13/52 20130101; H01R 33/95 20130101; H01R 2103/00
20130101 |
International
Class: |
H01R 13/52 20060101
H01R013/52; H01R 24/28 20060101 H01R024/28; H01R 24/20 20060101
H01R024/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 28, 2014 |
JP |
2014-093218 |
Claims
1. A waterproofing structure for a connector comprising: a first
housing configured to comprise a first terminal reception chamber
for receiving a terminal; and a second housing configured to
comprise a second terminal reception chamber for receiving a
terminal, wherein an opening end of the first terminal reception
chamber is opposed to an opening end of the second terminal
reception chamber, so that a gap with which circumferential edges
of the opening ends are opposed to each other is configured to be
sealed; wherein an annular member made of resin is provided at the
circumferential edge of the opening end of the first terminal
reception chamber, the annular member having an inner
circumferential surface widened toward the second housing; and
wherein the circumferential edge of the opening end of the second
terminal reception chamber abuts against the inner circumferential
surface of the annular member.
2. The waterproofing structure for a connector according to claim
1, wherein the annular member has an umbrella shape widened toward
the second housing.
3. The waterproofing structure for a connector according to claim
1, wherein the annular member is formed integrally with the
circumferential edge of the opening end of the first terminal
reception chamber.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of PCT application No.
PCT/JP2015/062744, which was filed on Apr. 27, 2015 based on
Japanese Patent Application (No. 2014-093218) filed on Apr. 28,
2014, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a waterproofing structure
for a connector, and particularly relates to a waterproofing
structure that seals a gap between connectors without any rubber
packing.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] In the background art, a waterproof connector for connecting
different electric wires with each other is mounted on a moving
body such as a motorcycle. Such a connector is arranged to include
a male housing and a female housing. The male housing receives a
male terminal to which an electric wire is connected. The female
housing receives a female terminal to which another electric wire
is connected. When the male housing is inserted and fitted into the
female housing, a gap is formed between the outer circumferential
surface of the male housing and the inner circumferential surface
of the female housing. A rubber packing is provided in the gap
between the housings so as to prevent water from invading though
the gap.
[0006] On the other hand, JP-A-2009-146659 discloses a
waterproofing structure for a connector for sealing housings from
each other without using any rubber packing. In the waterproof
connector, a cylindrical inner hood portion is circumferentially
enclosed by an outer hood portion to thereby form one of the
housings. Annular seal protrusion portions are provided in both the
inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface
of an outer cylinder respectively to thereby form the other
housing.
[0007] According to the waterproof connector, when one housing is
inserted and fitted to the other housing, the seal protrusion
portion in the outer circumferential surface of the outer cylinder
is brought into circumferential contact with the inner
circumferential surface of the outer hood portion, and the seal
protrusion portion in the inner circumferential surface of the
outer cylinder is brought into circumferential contact with the
outer circumferential surface of the inner hood portion. Thus, a
waterproofing structure is formed at two places, that is, in a gap
between the outer hood portion and the outer cylinder and in a gap
between the inner hood portion and the outer cylinder. It is
therefore possible to secure waterproofness without using any
rubber packing.
[0008] However, when the housings are to be assembled with each
other in the case of the waterproofing structure according to
JP-A-2009-146659, the seal protrusion portions of the other housing
move pressing the hood portions of the one housing respectively.
Accordingly, due to friction between the seal protrusion portions
and the hood portions, there arises a problem that the fitting load
with which the housings are fitted to each other becomes large
enough to increase the burden of the assembling work.
[0009] In addition, each seal protrusion portion abutting against
the inner hood portion or the outer hood portion may be shaved. In
this case, when shavings of the seal protrusion portion are put
into a gap between the two housings, there is a fear that the
housings cannot be fitted to each other in a regular position.
Further, when the seal protrusion portion abutting against the
inner hood portion or the outer hood portion is deformed, there is
a fear that the force with which the seal protrusion portion can
press the inner circumferential surface or the outer
circumferential surface of the outer cylinder may be reduced to
lower the sealing performance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention is developed in consideration of the
aforementioned problems. An object of the invention is to prevent
any defect from occurring due to deformation or shaving of a
connector when the connector is assembled, while reducing a fitting
load with which housings are fitted to each other.
[0011] In order to solve the foregoing problems, a waterproofing
structure of a connector according to the invention is a structure
of a connector including a first housing configured to include a
first terminal reception chamber for receiving a terminal, and a
second housing configured to include a second terminal reception
chamber for receiving a terminal. In the structure, an opening end
of the first terminal reception chamber is opposed to an opening
end of the second terminal reception chamber, so that a gap with
which circumferential edges of the opening ends are opposed to each
other is configured to be sealed. In the structure, an annular
member made of resin is provided at the circumferential edge of the
opening end of the first terminal reception chamber, the annular
member having an inner circumferential surface widened toward the
second housing. In the structure, the circumferential edge of the
opening end of the second terminal reception chamber abuts against
the inner circumferential surface of the annular member.
[0012] According to the structure, the annular member is provided
at the circumferential edge of the opening end of the first
housing, and the second housing is made close to a predetermined
position of the first housing so that the circumferential edge of
the opening end of the second housing can abut against the inner
circumferential surface of the annular member. Thus, the
circumferential edges of the opening ends of the two housings can
be sealed by the annular member. In addition, according to the
structure, the second housing can keep its non-contact state until
abutting against the annular member. It is therefore possible to
prevent damage such as deformation or shaving during assembling,
and it is also possible to reduce the fitting load between the
housings.
[0013] In this case, the annular member may be formed into an
umbrella shape widened toward the second housing.
[0014] According to the configuration, when the annular member is
pressed against the second housing, the annular member is
elastically deformed so that the widened inner circumferential
surface as a whole can be further widened. When the annular member
is elastically deformed thus, a restoring force (spring force)
derived from the elastic deformation of the annular member acts on
the circumferential edge of the opening end of the second housing.
Accordingly, the gap between the annular member and the
circumferential edge of the opening end of the second housing can
be sealed more surely. In addition, when the connector vibrates,
the annular member is opened and closed while being elastically
deformed. Thus, the vibration can be absorbed. It is therefore
possible to suppress propagation of the vibration to each terminal,
so that the electrical connection state between the terminals can
be kept excellent.
[0015] In addition, the annular member may be formed integrally
with the circumferential edge of the opening end of the first
terminal reception chamber.
[0016] According to the configuration, the number of components can
be reduced. It is therefore possible to reduce the manufacturing
cost of the components.
[0017] According to the invention, it is possible to prevent any
defect from occurring due to deformation or shaving of a connector
when a connector is assembled, and it is possible to reduce a
fitting load with which housings are fitted to each other.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] FIG. 1 is a top view of a waterproof connector according to
an embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a male connector
constituting the waterproof connector in FIG. 1.
[0020] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a female connector
constituting the waterproof connector in FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal sectional view in which the male
connector and the female connector are not fitted to each other
yet.
[0022] FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B are longitudinal sectional views in
which the male connector and the female connector are fitted to
each other.
[0023] FIG. 6 is a view showing a longitudinal section of the male
connector.
[0024] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a longitudinal section
of the male connector.
[0025] FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of an
annular member.
[0026] FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the
annular member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] An embodiment of a waterproofing structure of a connector to
which the invention is applied will be described below with
reference to the drawings. Although a waterproof connector to be
mounted on a moving body such as a motorcycle is described in the
embodiment by way of example, the connector according to the
invention can be used to other applications.
[0028] FIG. 1 is a top view of a waterproof connector according to
an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective
view of a male connector constituting the waterproof connector in
FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a female
connector constituting the waterproof connector in FIG. 1. FIG. 4,
FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show sectional views taken from the arrow
direction A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 shows a state in which the male
connector and the female connector are not fitted to each other
yet. FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B show a state in which the male connector
and the female connector are fitted to each other.
[0029] As shown in FIG. 1, in a waterproof connector 11, a male
connector 13 and a female connector 15 are connected (fitted) to
each other so that male terminals 17 received in the male connector
13 can be electrically connected to female terminals 19 received in
the female connector 15. Electric wires are connected to the
terminals respectively. Each of the male connector 13 and the
female connector 15 is formed into a cylindrical shape out of
insulating synthetic resin. Incidentally, in the following
description, define the right side and the left side in FIG. 1 as a
rear side and a front side respectively. These definitions can be
suitably applied to description of the other drawings.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the male connector 13 is provided
with male terminals 17 to which electric wires 21 are connected,
and a male housing 23 (first housing) that receives the male
terminals 17. The male housing 23 has a cylindrical base portion
27, an electric wire holding portion 29, and a hood portion 31
integrally. In the base portion 27, a male terminal reception
chamber 25 for receiving the male terminals 17 is formed. The
electric wire holding portion 29 protrudes rearwards from the base
portion 27. The hood portion 31 protrudes frontwards from the base
portion 27. The hood portion 31 is formed into a rectangular
cylindrical shape with a circumferential wall continuously
connected to a circumferential wall of the base portion 27.
[0031] The male terminal reception chamber 25 receives a plurality
(for example, two) of male terminals 17 so that the male terminals
17 can be separated from each other by a not-shown partition wall,
and each male terminal 17 can be held in a set position by a lance.
The male terminal reception chamber 25 is formed to communicate
with an opening end 33 of a front end surface of the base portion
27 surrounded by the hood portion 31, and also communicate with a
through hole 34 receiving the electric wires 21 in the electric
wire holding portion 29. An annular member 35 that will be
described later is provided at the circumferential edge of the
opening end 33.
[0032] As shown in FIG. 2, each male terminal 17 is formed out of a
conductive metal plate material or the like. The male terminal 17
has an electric wire connection portion 37 and a male tub 39
integrally. The electric wire connection portion 37 makes
connection with a core wire of an electric wire 21 by crimping. The
male tube 39 is formed into a rod-like shape extending straightly.
The male tub 39 is provided to protrude from the opening end 33 and
extend frontwards from the annular member 35 in the state where the
male terminal 17 is received in a set position of the male terminal
reception chamber 25.
[0033] A lock protrusion 41, a pair of first guide ribs 43, and a
pair of second guide ribs 45 are provided in the hood portion 31 so
as to protrude outward individually. The pair of first guide ribs
43 and the pair of second guide ribs 45 are provided and formed to
extend in the fitting direction between the male connector 13 and
the female connector 15. The lock protrusion 41 is provided inside
the pair of first guide ribs 43. As will be described later, the
first guide ribs 43 and the second guide ribs 45 are guided along
guide grooves 51 in an inner wall of a female housing 47
respectively so as to fit the male connector 13 and the female
connector 15 to each other in a regular direction. The lock
protrusion 41 engages with an engagement portion 55 of a lock arm
53 in the male connector 13, as will be described later.
[0034] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the female
connector 15 has female terminals 19 to which electric wires 57 are
connected, and a female housing 47 (second housing) that receives
the female terminals 19. The female housing 47 has an outer
cylinder portion 59, an inner cylinder portion 6 and a cylindrical
electric wire holding portion 65 integrally. The outer cylinder
portion 59 is formed into a rectangular cylindrical shape. The
inner cylinder portion 63 is received in the outer cylinder portion
59. The inner cylinder portion 63 is formed into a rectangular
cylindrical shape including a female terminal reception chamber 61
in which the female terminals 19 are received. The electric wire
holding portion 65 is continuously connected to the inner cylinder
portion 63 and extended frontwards on the opposite side to the
fitting direction of the female connector 15.
[0035] When the male connector 13 and the female connector 15 are
fitted to each other, the hood portion 31 of the male housing 23 is
inserted into an annular gap between the outer cylinder portion 59
and the inner cylinder portion 63. On this occasion, the outer
circumferential surface of the inner cylinder 63 received inside
the hood portion 31 is provided at a predetermined circumferential
distance from the inner circumferential surface of the hood portion
31.
[0036] The female terminal reception chamber 61 receives a
plurality (for example, two) of female terminals 19 so that the
female terminals 19 can be separated from each other by a not-shown
partition wall, and each female terminal 19 can be held in a set
position by a lance. The female terminal reception chamber 61 is
formed to communicate with an opening end 67 of a front end surface
of the inner cylinder portion 63 surrounded by the outer cylinder
portion 59, and also communicate with a through hole 69 receiving
the electric wires 57 in the electric wire holding portion 65.
[0037] Each female terminal 19 is formed out of a conductive metal
plate material or the like. The female terminal 19 has an electric
wire connection portion 71 and a cylindrical electric contact
portion 73 integrally. The electric wire connection portion 71
makes connection with a core wire of an electric wire 57 by
crimping. The electric contact portion 73 is continuously connected
to the electric wire connection portion 71. The electric contact
portion 73 is disposed to be flush with the opening end 67 or to be
brought back by a set distance from the opening end 67 in the state
where the female terminal 19 is received in a set position of the
female terminal reception chamber 61. When the electric contact
portion 73 enters the inside of the male tub 39 of the male
terminal 17, the electric contact portion 73 is electrically
connected to the male terminal 17.
[0038] Four guide grooves 51 are provided in the inner wall of the
outer cylinder portion 59. The guide grooves 51 are provided in the
direction in which the hood portion 31 of the male housing 23 is
inserted. The aforementioned pair of first guide ribs 43 and the
aforementioned pair of second guide ribs 45 of the male housing 23
can be inserted into the guide grooves 51 respectively.
[0039] A lock arm 53 is provided in the outer cylinder portion 59.
As shown in FIG. 4, the lock arm 53 has a pair of foot portions 75
and a lock portion 77. The foot portions 75 are provided erectly
from the front end side (left side in FIG. 4) of the outer cylinder
portion 59 so as to extend on the rear end side of the outer
cylinder portion 59. The lock portion 77 is supported by rear end
parts of the foot portions 75 so as to extend like a cantilever
extending on the front end side of the outer cylinder portion 59.
The pair of foot portions 75 are coupled with each other on their
rear end side by a first coupling portion 79, and front end parts
of the pair of lock portions 77 are coupled with each other by a
second coupling portion 81. The aforementioned lock protrusion 41
of the male housing 23 is engaged with an engagement portion 55
formed between the pair of foot portions 75 and the first coupling
portion 79, so that the fitting state between the male housing 23
and the female housing 47 can be retained.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 2, an annular waterproofing stopper 83 is
attached to each electric wire 21. In the state where the male
terminal 17 is received in a regular position of the male terminal
reception chamber 25, the waterproofing stopper 83 can seal a gap
between the outer circumferential surface of the electric wire 21
extracted from the through hole 34 of the electric wire holding
portion 29 and the inner circumferential surface of the through
hole 34. In the same manner, as shown in FIG. 3, an annular
waterproofing stopper 85 is attached to each electric wire 57. In
the state where the male terminal 19 is received in a regular
position of the male terminal reception chamber 25, the
waterproofing stopper 85 can seal a gap between the outer
circumferential surface of the electric wire 57 extracted from the
through hole 69 of the electric wire holding portion 65 and the
inner circumferential surface of the through hole 69.
[0041] Next, the annular member 35 serving as a constituent
characterizing the embodiment will be described. FIG. 6 is a
perspective view showing a longitudinal section of the male housing
23 taken from the arrow direction A-A in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a
perspective view showing a longitudinal section displaced by an
angle from the sectional view of FIG. 6.
[0042] In the embodiment, the opening end 67 of the female housing
47 is opposed to the opening end 33 located in the front end
surface of the base portion 27 of the male housing 23, and the
annular member 35 made of synthetic resin is provided in a gap in
which the circumferential edges of the opening ends are opposed to
each other. The annular member 35 is provided to protrude from the
circumferential edge of the opening end 33, and formed integrally
with the male housing 23. The annular member 35 is formed into an
umbrella shape having a rectangular cylindrical cross section
corresponding to the rectangular cylindrical sectional shape of the
inner cylinder portion 63 of the female housing 47. The annular
member 35 has an inner circumferential surface and an outer
circumferential surface widened toward the female housing.
[0043] The annular member 35 is formed so that all the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder
portion 63 can abut against the widened inner circumferential
surface of the annular member 35 when the male housing 23 and the
female housing 47 are fitted to each other in a regular position.
In addition, since the annular member 35 is formed out of the same
synthetic resin as the male housing 23, the annular member 35 can
be elastically deformed in a direction to expand its inner
circumferential surface (in a direction to contract axially) when
the inner circumferential surface is pressed against the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder
portion 63.
[0044] When the aforementioned waterproof connector 11 is
assembled, each male terminal 17 to which an electric wire 21 is
connected is first inserted through the through hole 34 of the male
housing 23. The male terminal 17 is received in a predetermined
position of the male terminal reception chamber 25, and retained by
a lance. At the same time, the waterproofing stopper 83 attached to
the electric wire 21 is pushed into the through hole 34 to thereby
seal the gap with the through hole 34. Thus, the male tub 39 is
placed to penetrate the annular member 35 and protrude
therefrom.
[0045] On the other hand, each female terminal 19 to which an
electric wire 57 is connected is inserted through the through hole
69 of the female housing 47. The female terminal 19 is received in
a predetermined position of the female terminal reception chamber
61, and retained by a lance. At the same time, the waterproofing
stopper 85 attached to the electric wire 57 is pushed into the
through hole 34 to thereby seal the gap with the through hole
34.
[0046] Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the male housing 23 and the female
housing 47 are opposed to each other, and the male housing 23 and
the female housing 47 are made close to each other. On this
occasion, the first guide ribs 43 and the second guide ribs 45 of
the male housing 23 are fitted into the guide grooves 51 of the
female housing 47 respectively so that the male housing 23 can keep
its regular posture while the hood portion 31 is guided to the gap
between the outer cylinder portion 59 and the inner cylinder
portion 63.
[0047] First, when the male housing 23 and the female housing 47
are made close to each other in this manner, the front end portion
of the male tub 39 protruding from the opening end 33 of the male
housing 23 enters the electric contact portion 73 (see FIG. 3) of
the female terminal 19 through the opening end 67 of the female
housing 47.
[0048] Next, when the female housing 47 is fitted in a regular
position to the male housing 23 as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B,
the circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner
cylinder portion 63 of the female housing 47 abuts against the
inner circumferential surface of the annular member 35 of the male
housing 23 as shown in FIG. 5A and FIG. 5B. In addition, the front
end portion of the male tub 39 is received in a regular position of
the electric contact portion 73 of the female terminal 19. Thus,
the electric connection between the male terminal 17 and the female
terminal 19 is completed.
[0049] Then, in the inner cylinder portion 63 abutting against the
inner circumferential surface of the annular member 35 the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 presses the inner
circumferential surface of the annular member 35 from a
circumferential direction. Thus, the annular member 35 is
elastically deformed in a direction to expand its inner
circumferential surface (in a direction to contract axially). As a
result, the restoring force deriving from the elastically deformed
annular member 35 acts all over the circumferential edge of the
opening end 67 of the inner cylinder portion 63. Accordingly, the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder
portion 63 is strongly pressed onto the inner circumferential
surface of the annular member 35 so that the gap between the
opening end 67 of the female housing 47 and the opening end 33 of
the male housing 23 can be airtightly sealed through the annular
member 35.
[0050] On the other hand, in the course in which the male housing
23 and the female housing 47 are made close to each other, the lock
protrusion 41 provided in the male housing 23 abuts against the
first coupling portion 79 formed in the lock arm 53 of the female
housing 47. Thus, the pair of foot portions 75 continuously
connected to the first coupling portion 79 are elastically deformed
so that the lock protrusion 41 can get over the first coupling
portion 79 and engage with the engagement portion 55. As a result,
the relative positions of the female housing 47 and the male
housing 23 to each other can be retained to keep the state in which
the circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner
cylinder portion 63 is pressing the annular member 35. It is
therefore possible to prevent water from invading through the gap
between the annular member 35 and the circumferential edge of the
opening end 67 of the female housing 47.
[0051] Further, the gap between the through hole 34 and the
electric wire 21 is sealed by the waterproofing stopper 83, and the
gap between the through hole 69 and the electric wire 57 is sealed
by the waterproofing stopper 85. Accordingly, the male terminal
reception chamber 25 and the female terminal reception chamber 61
can be perfectly prevented from being invaded by water from the
outside. Thus, the connection state between the male terminal 17
and the female terminal 19 can be kept excellent.
[0052] In addition, the annular member 35 is brought into contact
with the inner cylinder portion 63 so that the annular member 35
can be elastically deformed. Accordingly, when the waterproof
connector 11 vibrates, the annular member 35 repeats elastic
deformation, for example, to expand and contract axially (open and
close its inner circumferential surface), so that the vibration can
be absorbed. Thus, propagation of the vibration to each terminal
17, 19 can be suppressed so that the electric connection state
between the terminals can be kept excellent.
[0053] According to the embodiment, as is described, the annular
member 35 made of resin and formed into an umbrella shape widened
toward the female housing 47 is provided at the circumferential
edge of the opening end 33 of the base portion 27 of the male
housing 23. When the male housing 23 and the female housing 47 are
fitted to each other in a regular position, the inner
circumferential surface of the annular member 35 is pressed by the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder
portion 63 of the female housing 47. Thus, the inner
circumferential surface of the annular member 35 is deformed
elastically. As a result, the contact region between the
circumferential edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder
portion 63 and the inner circumferential surface of the annular
member 35 is brought into strongly tight contact circumferentially.
Thus, water can be prevented from invading through the contact
region. Incidentally, in the waterproof connector 11 according to
the embodiment, the pressing amount (insertion amount) with which
the annular portion 35 is pressed is set suitably so that the
opening end 67 of the inner cylinder portion 63 can press the
annular member 35 within an elastically deformable range of the
annular member 35.
[0054] According to the embodiment, when the male housing 23 and
the female housing 47 are fitted to each other, the circumferential
edge of the opening end 67 of the inner cylinder portion 63 can
keep its non-contact state until abutting against the annular
member 35. It is therefore possible to prevent damage caused by the
fitting between the male housing 23 and the female housing 47. In
addition, the fitting load of the two housings is reduced so that
the burden of assembling work can be reduced.
[0055] According to the embodiment, the annular member 35 can be
formed integrally with the male housing 23 by molding. Thus, the
number of components can be reduced, and the number of
manufacturing man-hours or the manufacturing cost of the components
can be reduced. In addition, it is possible to abolish any rubber
packing that is used in a background-art seal structure.
Accordingly, it is not necessary to take the thickness of the
rubber packing into consideration as to a width dimension in a
direction crossing the axial direction of the connector. It is
therefore possible to make the connector compact. Further, when the
annular member 35 is formed out of a general-purpose synthetic
resin material or the like, deterioration with age appearing as in
a rubber material can be prevented. Thus, it is possible to prevent
the sealing performance from deteriorating with age.
[0056] In addition, according to the embodiment, as shown in FIG.
5A and FIG. 5B, when a front end part of the inner cylinder portion
63 is observed from its sectional direction, the female housing 47
is provided with a step portion 87 whose width dimension in a
direction perpendicular to the axial direction is reduced on the
opening end 67 side. Accordingly, for example, even when foreign
matter adheres to the vicinity of the opening end 67 of the inner
cylinder portion 63, the foreign matter can be released to the step
portion 87. As a result, a seal surface 89 of the inner cylinder
portion 63 abutting against the annular member 35 can be prevented
from being damaged by foreign matter placed between the seal
surface 89 and the annular member 35. Thus, the sealing performance
can be prevented from deteriorating.
[0057] Although the invention is described in detail and with
reference to its specific embodiment, it is obvious for those
skilled in the art that various changes or modifications can be
made on the invention without departing from the spirit and scope
thereof.
[0058] For example, the annular member 35 may be formed separately
from the male housing 23. In this case, the annular member may be
formed at the circumferential edge of the opening end 33 so as to
include a disc-like bottom plate attached along an end face of the
base portion 27, and an annular member protruding to be widened
from the bottom plate. The annular member may be molded out of
desired synthetic resin.
[0059] In addition, it will go well only if the annular member 35
has an inner circumferential surface against which the inner
cylinder portion 63 of the female housing 47 can abut
circumferentially. When the inner cylinder portion 63 is, for
example, formed into a circular cylindrical shape, the annular
member 35 is formed into a circular cylindrical umbrella shape
corresponding to the shape of the inner cylinder portion 63.
[0060] In addition, in the aforementioned embodiment, the annular
member 35 is formed into an umbrella shape so that the annular
member 35 can be elastically deformed easily. However, the annular
member 35 may be, for example, formed into a triangular shape in
section as shown in FIG. 8 (the reference numeral 91), or a tapered
slope may be formed from the circumferential edge of the opening
end 33 toward the inner circumferential surface of the hood portion
31 as shown in FIG. 9 (the reference numeral 93). According to
these examples, the elastic deformation is reduced in comparison
with that in the annular member 35 having an umbrella shape.
However, due to easiness in shaping, a mold for molding the annular
shape 35 can be produced at a low price. In addition, even when the
annular member 35 is formed thus, a predetermined degree of tight
contact can be secured in a region against which the inner cylinder
portion 63 abuts. It is therefore possible to prevent water from
invading a space formed by the inner cylinder portion 63 and the
annular member.
[0061] Here, the features of the aforementioned embodiment of the
waterproof structure of a connector according the invention will be
summarized and listed briefly in the following paragraphs [1] to
[3] respectively. [0062] [1] A waterproofing structure of a
connector (waterproof connector 11) including:
[0063] a first housing (male housing 23) configured to include a
first terminal reception chamber (male terminal reception chamber
25) for receiving a terminal (male terminal 17); and
[0064] a second housing (female housing 47) configured to include a
second terminal reception chamber (female terminal reception
chamber 61) for receiving a terminal (female terminal 19),
[0065] wherein an opening end (33) of the first terminal reception
chamber is opposed to an opening end (67) of the second terminal
reception chamber, so that a gap with which circumferential edges
of the opening ends are opposed to each other is configured to be
sealed;
[0066] wherein an annular member (35) made of resin is provided at
the circumferential edge of the opening end of the first terminal
reception chamber, the annular member having an inner
circumferential surface widened toward the second housing; and
[0067] wherein the circumferential edge of the opening end of the
second terminal reception chamber can abut against the inner
circumferential surface of the annular member. [0068] [2] The
waterproofing structure of a connector according to the
aforementioned paragraph [1], wherein the annular member has an
umbrella shape widened toward the second housing. [0069] [3] The
waterproofing structure of a connector according to the
aforementioned paragraph [1] or [2], wherein the annular member is
formed integrally with the circumferential edge of the opening end
of the first terminal reception chamber.
[0070] According to the invention, there is an advantage that it is
possible to prevent any defect from occurring due to deformation or
shaving of a connector when the connector is assembled, and it is
possible to reduce a fitting load with which housings are fitted to
each other. The invention exerting the advantage is useful to a
waterproofing structure for sealing a gap between connectors
without using any rubber packing.
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